The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has assured airport passengers and the wider e-hailing community that it is working to speedily resolve the ban on the operations of Uber and Bolt at federal airports across the country. FAAN disclosed this in a press statement signed by its management team and seen by Technext.

The Authority said it has noted recent reports and public conversations regarding the operations of e-hailing services, including Uber and Bolt, at some of the nation's airports, and wishes to clarify its position.

"FAAN wishes to clarify that its position is not, and has never been, directed at limiting passengers' access to transportation options or undermining the important role that e-hailing services play in providing convenient mobility to air travellers. Rather, FAAN's primary responsibility is to ensure that activities within the airport environment are conducted in a manner that guarantees the safety, security and convenience of passengers and other airport users," the statement reads.

FAAN added that it recognises the significant convenience and additional choice that platforms such as Uber and Bolt provide to passengers, and appreciates the concerns being expressed by travellers who may experience inconvenience while the operational issues are being resolved. It is for this reason, the Authority said, that it is keen to see the discussions concluded expeditiously.

"The Authority and the affected operators are currently engaged in constructive discussions towards resolving the outstanding issues, particularly those relating to passenger safety and security, operational visibility, accountability and the appropriate management of pick-up activities within the airport environment. FAAN remains confident that a mutually acceptable understanding will be reached shortly," the statement reads.

How the suspension unfolded

Technext reported last month that FAAN had suspended the operations of Bolt at federal airports over regulatory and operational requirements. The suspension was contained in a letter signed by the Authority's Director of Commercial and Business Development, Adebola Joy Agunbiade.

Later that month, according to a Business Day report, an internal memo signed by the Authority's General Manager of Commercial Services, U.R. Liman, ordered FAAN operatives to ensure that all operators of Bolt and Uber are suspended from the airports until their licence agreements have been finalised and concluded.

In the aftermath of the suspension, traditional airport taxis reportedly hiked their fares, forcing passengers to part with exorbitant sums. Compounding the situation, Uber and Bolt drivers, under the Amalgamated Union of App-based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), threatened to embark on an indefinite strike if the dispute was not resolved speedily and effectively. (See also: Uber and Bolt drivers in Abuja threaten to strike over airport ban.)

Not a blanket prohibition, says FAAN

In its statement, FAAN emphasised that the current situation should not be misconstrued as a blanket prohibition on e-hailing services. Rather, it is part of an ongoing process of operational alignment with the objective of ensuring that e-hailing services can continue to serve passengers within a framework that meets the requirements of the airport.

The Authority said it has, over time, received complaints and observed operational challenges associated with commercial transportation activities within and around airport premises, including issues relating to passenger solicitation and touting. These concerns, it said, make it imperative to have a clear and effective framework for managing commercial transportation activities at the airport.

Consequently, all commercial transportation services operating within airport premises are required to have an appropriate framework that provides the airport authority with adequate visibility over their operations, vehicles and drivers, while also ensuring effective coordination in the event of a security or passenger-related incident.

This is particularly important, FAAN noted, given the volume and nature of passenger movements at the nation's airports and the need to ensure that persons providing transportation services within the airport environment are identifiable, accountable and properly integrated into the airport's operational and security framework.

"Against this background, FAAN has been engaging the relevant e-hailing operators to achieve a mutually workable operational framework that recognises the value of their services while addressing the peculiar safety, security, accountability and passenger-experience requirements of the airport environment," the statement reads.

ACHRAMS is not a rival app, FAAN clarifies

The Authority also reiterated that its actions are guided by one overriding consideration: to protect passengers while providing them with a safe, secure, orderly and seamless airport experience. It expressed its commitment to working collaboratively with Uber, Bolt and other mobility providers to achieve this objective and ensure that passengers continue to have safe and convenient transportation options at Nigeria's airports.

Finally, FAAN clarified that ACHRAMS is not an e-hailing application and is not intended to compete with or replicate the services provided by Uber, Bolt or any other e-hailing platform. The system, it said, was developed primarily to provide operational visibility and tracking within the airport environment, while also facilitating seamless and accountable management of applicable concession and related airport charges.